U.S. patent application number 10/166452 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-11 for electronic liquid dispenser.
Invention is credited to Boyer, Earl R., Daley, Stuart, Dorman, H. Paul, Gentry, Shawn B., Hidle, Rex A., Smith, Martin E..
Application Number | 20030226853 10/166452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29710659 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030226853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hidle, Rex A. ; et
al. |
December 11, 2003 |
Electronic liquid dispenser
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and system
for electromechanical liquid dispensing. The system includes a
bottle for holding liquid to be dispensed, the bottle having an
inlet port and an outlet port, a one-way outlet valve on the outlet
port through which liquid is dispensed from the bottle, and an
electronic control system for controlling dispensement of the
liquid from the outlet port such that a controlled quantity of
liquid is dispensed.
Inventors: |
Hidle, Rex A.; (San Antonio,
TX) ; Dorman, H. Paul; (Fort Worth, TX) ;
Smith, Martin E.; (Camarillo, CA) ; Boyer, Earl
R.; (Simi Valley, CA) ; Daley, Stuart;
(Camarillo, CA) ; Gentry, Shawn B.; (Kellar,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKEE, VOORHEES & SEASE, P.L.C.
801 GRAND AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Family ID: |
29710659 |
Appl. No.: |
10/166452 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/1 ;
222/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 5/1217
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/1 ;
222/61 |
International
Class: |
G01F 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid from a bottle having an
inlet port and the outlet port, and a one-way outlet valve on the
outlet port through which the liquid is dispensed from the bottle,
comprising: an air manifold fluidly connected to the inlet port; an
air pump fluidly connected to the air manifold for providing
compressed air; a solenoid in operative contact with the air
manifold for releasing air from the air manifold; and an electrical
control system electrically connected to the air pump and the
solenoid for controlling dispensing of the liquid.
2. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a proximity
detection system electrically connected to the electrical control
system.
3. The liquid dispenser of claim 1 wherein the electrical control
system includes an intelligent control having an instruction
set.
4. The liquid dispenser of claim 3 wherein the instruction set
includes instructions for: (a) determining that the liquid should
be dispensed; (b) dispensing a first amount of the liquid; (c)
delaying for a time period; and (d) dispensing a second amount of
the liquid.
5. The liquid dispenser of claim 4 further comprising a proximity
detection system and wherein the instructions for determining that
the liquid should be dispensed are instructions for determining
that the proximity detection system has triggered.
6. The liquid dispenser of claim 5 wherein the proximity detection
system includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector.
7. The liquid dispenser of claim 4 wherein the time period is a
period of time between dispensing the first amount of liquid and
detecting a user's hands beneath the outlet port.
8. A liquid dispensing system, comprising: a bottle for holding
liquid to be dispensed, and having an inlet port and an outlet
port; a one-way outlet valve on the outlet port through which
liquid is dispensed from the bottle; an electronic control system
for controlling dispensement of the liquid from the outlet port
such that a controlled quantity of the liquid is dispensed.
9. The liquid dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the electronic
control system includes a timer adapted to provide a delay such
that after a first quantity of the liquid is dispensed, the delay
occurs and then a second quantity of the liquid is dispensed.
10. The liquid dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the electronic
control system includes an intelligent control, the timer being
implemented in the intelligent control.
11. The liquid dispensing system of claim 8 wherein the electronic
control system includes a proximity detector for determining
movement of a user's hands underneath the outlet port.
12. The liquid dispensing system of claim 8 further comprising an
air pump electrically connected to the electronic control system
and fluidly connected to the inlet port of the bottle for
pressurizing air within the bottle and thereby force liquid through
the outlet valve.
13. A method of dispensing liquid from a bottle, the bottle having
an inlet port and an outlet port with a one-way valve operatively
associated therewith, the method comprising: detecting an object
proximate the outlet port through a proximity detection system;
pumping air through the inlet port so as to pressurize air within
the bottle and thereby dispense a first flow of liquid through the
outlet valve.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising releasing pressure in
the bottle thereby stopping the first flow of liquid through the
outlet valve.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising delaying a time
period and then pumping air through the inlet port so as to
pressurize air within the bottle and thereby dispense a second flow
of liquid through the outlet valve.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a first
visual alert during the step of delaying.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first visual alert is an
LED.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of detecting is
detecting an object proximate the outlet port through use of an
infrared emitter and detector.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of pumping air is
pumping air with an electric air pump through the inlet port so as
to pressurize air within the bottle and thereby dispense a first
flow of liquid through the outlet valve.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of releasing pressure
is deactivating a solenoid to release pressure in the bottle
thereby stopping the first flow of liquid through the outlet valve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a liquid dispenser. More
specifically, and without limitation, this invention relates to an
electronically controlled liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid
from a bottle.
[0002] Liquid dispensers for various liquid products are well known
and generally include a container for holding the liquid, with a
discharge port through which the liquid is dispensed. A common
problem with many prior art dispensers is leakage or dripping of
the liquid from the bottle after a desired liquid volume has been
discharged or dispensed. Another problem with prior art dispensers
is the inability to dispense 100% of the liquid from the bottle.
Rather, dispensers typically retain 5-10% of the liquid in the
bottle after the bottle is "emptied." A further problem with prior
art medical dispensers is the inability to dispense the desired
amount or dosage.
[0003] There are also problems related to the use of soap or scrub
that without the benefit of this disclosure would seem to be
unrelated to liquid dispensers. One such problem relates to the
diligence of a person in applying soap or surgical scrub. Even if
such a liquid is dispensed, in order for it to perform its intended
function it may need to be thoroughly applied. For example, where a
person seeks to apply surgical scrub as an antiseptic, the person
must thoroughly scrub their hands and arms with the antiseptic
liquid in order for it to fulfill its intended purpose. If a person
does not rub the antiseptic into their hands, finger nails,
cuticles and forearms for a sufficient time period then
microorganisms including viruses and bacteria are not removed.
[0004] Similarly, for proper antiseptic use it may be advisable to
rinse, and then reapply an amount of the liquid and repeat the
scrubbing process. Failure to scrub for the proper time period or
to repeat the process can have an adverse affect on the efficiency
of the scrubbing process.
[0005] Further, if the person touches the liquid dispenser in order
to dispense liquid a second time, then that person may introduce
new microorganisms onto their hands, thus negating at least a
portion of the effect of the liquid in the first place.
[0006] Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention
to provide a liquid dispenser that improves upon the state of the
art.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that does not leak or drip liquid after a desired
volume has been dispensed.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that dispenses 100% of the liquid in a bottle.
[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser particularly for medical uses that accurately
dispenses a desired dosage of a liquid from a bottle.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that dispenses liquid without requiring a person
to come in contact with the liquid dispenser.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a liquid dispenser that encourages a person using the
dispenser to thoroughly apply the dispensed liquid.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that encourages a person to apply a liquid more
than once.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that uses pneumatic pressure for product
dispensing.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
liquid dispenser that can be a closed system that requires no
external input or apparatus.
[0015] These and/or other objects, features or advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the specification and
claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention includes a liquid dispenser for
dispensing liquid from a bottle, the bottle having an inlet port
and an outlet port, with liquid being dispensed through the outlet
port. According to the present invention, the liquid dispenser
includes an air manifold fluidly connected to the inlet port and an
air pump fluidly connected to the air manifold for providing
compressed air. An electrical control system is electrically
connected to the air pump for controlling the dispensing of the
liquid. Preferably, there is a solenoid in operative contact with
the air manifold for releasing air from the air manifold so that a
precise amount of liquid can be dispensed. Also, preferably the
liquid dispenser includes a proximity detection system electrically
connected to the electrical control system so that when objects
such as person's hands are placed underneath the outlet port of the
liquid dispenser, liquid can be automatically dispensed.
[0017] The present invention also provides for a process of
dispensing liquid from a bottle that has an inlet port and an
outlet port. The method includes detecting an object that is
proximate the outlet port, then pumping air through the inlet port
so as to pressurize air within the bottle and thereby dispense a
first flow of liquid through the outlet valve, and then releasing
pressure in the bottle thereby stopping the flow of liquid through
the outlet valve.
[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the liquid
dispenser includes a built-in scrub timer for delaying for a time
period after a first dispensement of liquid and before a second
dispensement of liquid. This encourages proper scrubbing. Further,
one aspect of the present invention provides for dispensing the
liquid only when objects (such as a person's hands) are placed
under the outlet port of the liquid dispenser.
[0019] Thus, the liquid dispenser of the present invention provides
advantages such as automatic dispensing of liquid, dispensing of a
controlled amount of liquid, and controlling the dispensement of a
liquid in a manner that encourages proper repetition of the scrub,
rinse, and repeat process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid dispenser of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the liquid dispenser of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of the circuit board of
the liquid dispenser of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control system of the
liquid dispenser of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the pump,
solenoid, and manifold assembly of the liquid dispenser of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The dispenser of the present invention is generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 in the drawings. The
dispenser 10 generally includes a bottle 12 for containing liquid
to be dispensed, and a fixture 14 in which the bottle 12 is
mounted. The fixture 14 is then mounted to a base 16. The base 16
can be mounted on a wall. A battery compartment 18 is disposed
within the base such that it is readily accessible for replacement
of batteries without requiring that the liquid dispenser be removed
from a wall. Although a battery compartment is shown, the present
invention contemplates that electrical energy may otherwise be
supplied.
[0026] Also shown in FIG. 1 is an on/off switch 74. A volume
adjustment control or setting 76 is also shown. In addition, an LED
or other display 78 is shown. Preferably, where an LED is used, the
LED is a two-toned LED. According to one embodiment, the LED will
emit a green light which will eliminate for approximately 8 seconds
when power is turned on and illuminate at activation and while soap
is dispensing. A blinking red light can appear when the batteries
are low and a constant red light can be used to indicate a
malfunction.
[0027] As best shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the bottle 12
includes an inlet port 20, which may be capped with inlet cap 22.
When the liquid dispenser 10 of the present invention is assembled
with the bottle 12 in place, the inlet cap 22 is removed.
[0028] The bottle 12 also includes an outlet port 24 having an
outlet cap 26. The cap 26 has an opening therein which is normally
closed by a self-sealing, non-drip valve 34. The valve 34
preferably includes a silicon membrane with cross air slits
transecting the membrane. Such a valve is commercially available
and commonly known as a zell valve. A removable lid 32 is provided
for the outlet cap 26 to enclose the valve 28 for storage and
transport of the bottle 12. In addition, the bottle 12 contains a
recess 34 that is retentively engaged by spring clip 35 to secure
the bottle 12 in the fixture 14.
[0029] A one-way air valve and/or a solid plug 42 is mounted in the
fixture 14. The air valve 42 provides an air tight seal with the
inlet port 20 of the bottle 12 when the bottle 12 is mounted in the
fixture 14. A t-branch 44 is provided to connect the air valve 42
in line with a tube 46 having a first end 48 and a second end 50.
The t-branch 44 also connects to a one-way air valve 43 having an
air inlet end 45 and an air filter 40 disposed therein. The tube 46
has a first end 48 connected to the t-branch 44 and also a second
end 50.
[0030] The fixture 14 is attached to the base 16 and preferably is
attached in an easily removable manner, such as through using a
spring clip or other slidable inner locking assembly. The base 16
contains the removable battery compartment 18 with batteries 52. In
addition, the base 16 contains an opening 54 for providing access
to the end 50 of tube 46.
[0031] The base 16 can also include a bottle detection sensor or
switch 55. The bottle detector can be a contact switch such that
when a bottle is in place the switch 55 is activated. Thus, the
control system of the present invention can determine whether or
not a bottle is present at any given time or can tell if a bottle
has been removed and replaced.
[0032] The base backing 56 is attached to the base 16 such as
through the use of screws 58 or other fasteners. On the base
backing 56, a circuit board 60 is mounted. Also mounted on the
circuit board assembly 60 is an air manifold 62 in operative
connection with a solenoid 64 and a motor 66 and attached pump 68.
The air pump 68 creates pressurized flow of air through tube 88
into the inner manifold 62 and the air manifold outlet 90. When the
liquid dispenser is assembled, the air manifold outlet 90 protrudes
through the opening 54 of the base 16 and connects to the end 50 of
tube 46 for providing pressurized air into the bottle 12.
[0033] FIG. 3 provides a pictorial representation of the circuit
board assembly 60. The motor 66 drives the air pump 68 to pump air
through tube 88 into the air manifold 62. A solenoid 64 having a
spring 82 and a rod 84 is also placed in operative contact with a
seal 92. When the solenoid 64 is in an actuated position with the
rod 84 extended the seal 92 seals the air manifold so that air does
not escape.
[0034] Also on circuit board assembly 60 is an electronic control
such as a microcontroller 70. The microcontroller 70 is
electrically connected to the motor 66 for activating the motor 66
and air pump 68. The microcontroller 70 is also electrically
connected to the solenoid 64 for controlling actuation of the
solenoid. The microcontroller 70 can be an 8 bit microcontroller
such as available from Microchip such as a PIC 16F627. The present
invention, however, contemplates use of, but is not limited to any
particular microcontroller, integrated circuit, portion of an
integrated circuit, controller, processor, or discrete control
circuit.
[0035] Also on the circuit board assembly 60 is an on/off switch
74, a liquid dispensing quantity adjustment control 76 such as a
variable resistor, a visual feedback display such as an LED 78, and
a proximity detection system such as an infrared emitter/detector
72. The infrared emitter/detector 72 emits infrared light and
receives reflections of infrared light. Therefore, the infrared
emitter/detector pair can emit infrared light and then detect
whether that infrared light has been reflected off of an object.
For example, if a person's hands were underneath the infrared
emitter/detector 72 then infrared light emitted from the infrared
emitter 73 would be reflected off the person's hands and received
by the infrared receiver 75.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the control system of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic control 70 is
electrically connected to a proximity detection system 72.
Preferably the proximity detection system is an infrared
emitter/receiver. However, the present invention contemplates any
number of types of proximity detection that rely upon light,
ultrasonics, or other technologies.
[0037] The electronic control 70 is also electrically connected to
a quantity adjustment 76. By adjusting the quantity adjustment 76,
the electronic control can increase or decrease the amount or
quantity of liquid dispensed. Where the electronic control 70 is a
microcontroller with a built-in analog to digital converter, the
quantity adjustment can be implemented through using a variable
resistor such that as the variable resistor is adjusted, a voltage
level received by the electronic control 70 is adjusted so that the
electronic control 70 can adjust the quantity of liquid dispensed
based upon the resistance of the variable resistor. the present
invention, however, contemplates that the quantity of liquid to be
dispensed can otherwise be controlled.
[0038] The motor 66 is also electrically connected or otherwise in
operative communication with the electronic control 70 such that
the electronic control 70 can turn on or off the motor 66 thereby
causing air to be pumped into a bottle when the motor 66 is
activated. In addition, the solenoid 64 is electrically connected
to the electronic control 70 so that the solenoid can be actuated
by the electronic control 70 in order to release air.
[0039] The use of the electronic control 70 provides great
flexibility in the operation of the liquid dispenser. In
particular, the electronic control 70 allows for precise quantities
of liquid to be dispensed. The electronic control 70 can turn the
motor 66 on for a precise amount of time so that a corresponding
amount of liquid is dispensed. In addition, the electronic control
70 can monitor the proximity detection system 72. Thus, the
electronic control 70 can activate the motor 66 and dispense liquid
after an object has been detected. So, for instance, a person can
put their hands underneath the liquid dispenser thereby activating
the proximity detection system 72 that is monitored by the
electronic control 70 which in turn, turns on the motor 66 to
dispense liquid. The electronic control 70 can also include one or
more timers. The use of timers further provides the present
invention with additional features. For example, according to the
present invention, after a first quantity of liquid is dispensed,
the electronic control 70 can wait for a given time period and then
dispense a second quantity of liquid. Where the liquid dispenser
contains soap or surgical scrub this encourages an operator to
repeat the scrubbing process. Further, the electronic control 70 is
preferably configured such that soap or surgical scrub is not
dispensed when the proximity detection system 72 does not detect
hands underneath the liquid dispenser.
[0040] The present invention also provides for an optional bottle
detection switch 55 electrically connected to the electronic
control 70. The bottle detection sensor switch can be of numerous
types, including a contact switch. When a bottle detection switch
55 is used, the electronic control 70 can detect when a bottle has
been removed and when a new bottle has been inserted into the
device. The present invention contemplates that as the amount of
liquid in the bottle decreases, the motor 66 will need to be turned
on for an increased amount of time in order to build sufficient
pressure to dispense the same amount of liquid. Thus, the present
invention provides for maintaining precise dosages of liquid even
as the supply of liquid in the bottle depletes over time.
[0041] The present invention also provides for a display 78
electrically connected to the electronic control 70. The display
can be an LED or other type of display. Where an LED is used, the
LED can be activated prior to the second dispensement of liquid to
provide notice to the operator that liquid will soon be dispensed
so that the operator can place their hands underneath the outlet of
the bottle. The LED is preferably a two-tone LED. For example, the
LED can display both green and red. The green light can be used to
illuminate for a time period, such as approximately 8 seconds, when
the power is turned on and to illuminate upon activation and while
the soap is dispensing. The green light can continue to blink for a
time period, such as 90 seconds, after the soap has last been
dispensed. Once a user places their hands underneath the dispenser
while the green light is blinking, the dispenser dispenses a second
dose of liquid. A blinking red light can be used when the batteries
are low and need to be replaced with the next bottle change. A
constant red light can be used when a unit detects a malfunction.
The present invention also contemplates that instead of a display
78, other types of alert or notice could be used, including sound,
light or other implementations. Where an intelligent control having
an instruction set is used, the instruction set includes
instructions for controlling the display.
[0042] When the electronic control 70 of the present invention
includes a microcontroller, processor, or other intelligent control
device, the electronic control 70 can have an instruction set so
that electronic control of the dispensing process is controlled by
these instructions. The instructions provide for determining that
the liquid should be dispensed, dispensing a first amount of the
liquid, delaying for a time period, and dispensing a second amount
of the liquid. In addition, electronic control 70 preferably
includes instructions for determining the amount of time the motor
should be operated in order to dispense a particular amount of
liquid. As the bottle is depleted, the amount of time required to
build up sufficient air pressure to dispense the same amount of
liquid also increases. The present invention increases the motor
run time such that the first does of liquid is of the same size as
the last dose of liquid.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows the motor 66, pump 68, solenoid 64, and
manifold 90 assembly in greater detail. The motor 66, when turned
on, causes the pump 68 to pump air through the tube 88 and into the
air manifold 62. The solenoid 64 with spring 82 on the shaft 84,
has a seal 86 used to seal an outlet 92 of the air manifold. When
the solenoid is actuated such that the rod 84 is extended, the
outlet 92 of the air manifold 62 is sealed so that air can be
forced through the tubes and the bottle, resulting in the
dispensement of liquid from the bottle. When the motor 66 and pump
68 are turned off and the solenoid 64 is turned off so that the rod
84 returns to its original position, the seal 86 no longer seals
the outlet 92 of the air manifold 62. Thus, pressurized air is
immediately released from the air manifold 62 and liquid ceases to
be dispensed. This configuration results in precise control of the
amount of liquid dispensed from the bottle.
[0044] Thus, according to a method of the present invention once an
object is detected air can be pumped through the inlet port of the
bottle so as to pressurize air within the bottle and thereby
dispense a flow of liquid through the outlet valve of the bottle.
According to the present invention, pressure in the bottle can be
released by stopping the flow of liquid through the valve.
Preferably 100% of the pressure is released and slow bleed-off is
avoided. The present invention also provides for then delaying for
a time period and then pumping air again so as to dispense a second
quantity of liquid. Preferably, the second quantity of liquid is
not dispensed until the user's hands are detected underneath the
outlet of the bottle. Further, the invention provides for an alert
that the liquid dispenser is almost ready to resume a second
dispensement of liquid.
[0045] Therefore a liquid dispenser has been disclosed. The liquid
dispenser of the present invention provides for the advantages of
dispensing a controlled quantity of liquid, dispensing liquid
without requiring a person to physically contact the liquid
dispenser, dispensing liquid multiple times to encourage proper
scrubbing, and other advantages. Further, the present invention
contemplates numerous variations in its specific configuration and
implementation. The preferred embodiment of the present invention
set forth in the drawings and specification may employ specific
terms, however these are used in a generic or descriptive sense
only and are not used for purposes of limitation. Changes in the
form and proportion of parts as well as a substitution of
equivalence are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render
expedient without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as further defined in the following claims.
* * * * *